Thursday, October 1, 2026
A staunch defense has positioned Wantagh boys’ soccer for a shot at a county title.
The Warriors entered the week having only surrendered five goals all season and no more than one in a game. Wantagh (2-1-5) has had the majority of its games ends in ties needs only one victory in last three matches to assure itself of a postseason spot with a .500 or better record.
“Our motto is, ‘If they can’t score they can’t win,’” Wantagh coach Tom Liguori said. “We’d obviously like to win, but as long as we don’t lose we’re OK.”
The Warriors’ dominating defense has been led by senior goalie Will O’Brien, who first joined the varsity soccer team midway through the 2014 season. O’Brien, who is a standout pitcher on the Wantagh baseball team, recorded six saves in a 0-0 tie with defending Nassau County Class A champion South Side on Sept. 19.
“He has come up with some huge saves for us,” Liguori said of O’Brien. “He is a big, strong, athletic kid.”
Leading the defensive effort in front of O’Brien have been Joe Graham, Michael Quigley, Matt Deedy, Vincent Testa and Mike Derham. Graham and Derham have also provided leadership off the field as senior captains.
Offensively, Wantagh has been led by sophomores Nick Cerasi and Liam Ireland. Cerasi, who has been up on varsity since eighth grade, leads the Warriors with four goals. Ireland has tallied two goals from the forward position including the game-winner in a 3-1 win against Manhasset on Oct. 1.
Liguori is pleased with the depth he has this season on his 28-man roster. It is the largest team in Liguori’s years behind the bench and he has been afforded the flexibility to go with multiple lineups depending on match-ups. “There is nobody on this team that can’t step in,” Liguori said. “All these kids can play.”
Wantagh has held its own while facing a grueling schedule in Conference A-1. The Warriors began the week tied for sixth place with Bellmore-Kennedy and were only two points behind fourth place Hewlett. Wantagh can qualify for the playoffs by placing in the top six or finishing .500 or better.
“Every game is a dog fight,” said Liguori of the competition his team has faced. “What we may lack in skill we make up for with hard work.”
Wantagh is next in action at Garden City on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The Warriors then close the regular season at New Hyde Park on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Liguori, who played for Wantagh’s last state championship team in 1992, hopes that the Warriors get an opportunity to make a title push.
“I really hope this team can push through and make the playoffs to see how far they can go, “ said Liguori, whose team just missed out on a postseason spot last year with a 4-5-2 conference record. “This is a team that can play with anybody.”
